Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Holly Springs Primitive Baptist Church Sacred Harp singing was held on the first Sunday in November at the church, near Bremen, in Carroll County, Georgia. Samuel Williams brought the class to order leading 59. Philip Denney offered the opening prayer. Samuel Williams welcomed everyone to the singing, and then led 530.

Leaders: Donna Bell 129 (in memory of Charlene Wallace), 121 (in memory of Richard DeLong); Philip Denney 120, 73t (in memory of his grandpa, Newman E. Denney); Winfred Kerr 36b, 225t; Shane Brown 457, 49b; Oscar McGuire 441, 515 (his wife, Katie’s favorite); Glenda Collins 566 (in memory of Richard DeLong), 101t; Bert Collins 97, 35; Sheri Taylor 405, 131b; Daniel Williams 154 (for Judy Henry), 42.

RECESS

Samuel Williams brought the class back to order leading 48t. A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Shane Brown; Vice Chairman—Samuel Williams; Secretary—Donna Bell; Memorial Committee—Shane Brown.

Leaders: Shane Brown 312b; Cecil Roberts 229, 37b; Amber Davis 422, 276; Laura Frey 87, 358; Esther Williams 75, 61; Philip Denney 99, 142; Winfred Kerr 294; Oscar McGuire 56b. Bert Collins offered the blessing of the noon meal at the tables.

LUNCH

The afternoon of singing convened with Daniel Williams leading 394.

A memorial lesson was conducted by Shane Brown. He spoke about Holly Springs being the first singing he attended. He mentioned singing with Charlene Wallace, Earlis McGraw, Richard DeLong, and others and how they had gone by the way of our Father. “One by one… You look for someone and listen but they’re not there, but their memory never leaves us.” Shane read verses from Psalm =145 (t? b?) before reading the names of the deceased. The deceased remembered were Charlene Wallace, Richard DeLong, Bentley McGuire, David Grant—Georgia; Ottis Sides, Velton Chaffin, Bill Windom—Alabama; and Bill Beverly—Michigan. Shane Brown led 285t. The sick and shut-ins honored were Barry Rollins, Judy Henry, Lucy Garner, and Ozella Blackmon. Shane Brown led 45t. Daniel Williams offered prayer to close the memorial lesson.

Leaders: Glenda Collins 300; Bert Collins 168; Emmadene Williams 53; Cecil Roberts 31t; Daniel Williams 414 (for Isaac Green); Samuel Williams 411; Amber Davis 235 (in memory of her great uncle, Billy Morris); Tim Williams 64; Sheri Taylor 209; Laura Frey 503; Philip Denney 448t (in memory of Bentley McGuire).

Announcements were made. Shane Brown and Samuel Williams led 267 as the closing song. Oscar McGuire offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Shane Brown; Vice Chairman—Samuel Williams; Secretary—Donna Bell